May 25, 2026
The Northwest Seaport Alliance reports that April 2026 total container volume (international and domestic) reached 218,239 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), down 21.4% compared to April 2025, when shippers were frontloading cargo ahead of expected tariffs. Full imports and exports decreased 29.9% and 12.3%, respectively. At 932,958 TEUs, year-to-date (YTD) volumes are down 16%, with full imports declining 20.9% and full exports decreasing 1.8%.
Domestic container volumes decreased by 1.3% compared to YTD 2025. Alaska decreased 1.5%, and Hawaii volumes decreased 0.2%.
YTD April breakbulk volumes, 125,411 metric tons, increased 24% due to strong industrial demand, and YTD April auto volumes, 87,664 units, were down 12.4% from YTD April 2025 as tariffs continue to impact the industry.
The Northwest Seaport Alliance is a marine cargo operating partnership of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
Source: The Northwest Seaport Alliance